Whoever said rock ’n’ roll was a young person’s game forgot to tell Blondie. The New York City denizens are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year — marking the occasion with a double album, Blondie 4(0) Ever, a Glastonbury performance and last night’s sell-out show at Shepherd’s Bush.

They began with the frenetic punk-pop of One Way or Another, effortlessly reclaiming it from One Direction’s grubby paws.

In dark glasses and a black-and-white top, Debbie Harry, who turns 69 today, remains the band’s ice-cool focal point, although she was run close by stampeding, stick-juggling drummer Clem Burke.

“We’re going to do some very, very old stuff and some very, very new stuff,” promised Harry. In truth, there was more of an emphasis on the old stuff in what was, in essence, a greatest hits set — and Blondie have plenty of them to call on.

From Call Me to Hanging on the Telephone, these were classic songs that have aged like fine wine.

Maria, the comeback single from 1999’s No Exit, nestled in neatly among the classics, while a cover of Beastie Boys’ (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) was gloriously silly.

Images of the band’s younger selves were projected on the giant screen behind — a vital visual aid as only the exceedingly tall would have been able to see the group from the jam-packed downstairs section.

Still, Atomic was every bit as explosive as its title suggests, and when Heart of Glass had arms-aloft and voices raised this brilliant gig was given its crowning moment.

Forty years of great music — and, on this showing, Blondie still have a few more in them.